Apple files for trademark for new notification icon

Apple earlier this week filed a trademark application in Europe requesting ownership of an icon, presumably designed for iOS, that would allow it to show communications applications with pending notices in a single pane. An art example in the application shows a black box listing "Mail," "Calendar," and "SMS," with Apple's familiar numbered circles, indicating pending notifications.Patently Apple was first to report on the trademark application.Related storiesApple patent pitch hints at 3D imaging on iPhone, iPadCNET's review of the Apple iPhone 4SCNET's review of the new Apple iPad Patently Apple also recently reported on a patent application that Apple has filed in the U.S.The application describes a method for users to snap an image with multiple cameras built into the iPhone and iPad, and then view that image in 3D on the device. It also comes with facial-gesture recognition that can detect smiling, grimacing, and frowning. Correction 9:16 a.m. PT:An earlier version of this story and its headline misidentified the type of application that Apple has applied for in Europe. It is a trademark application.